Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) participates in a news conference about preserving Medicaid funding during the 'fiscal cliff' negotiations at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill December 11, 2012 in Washington, DC. Legislators from the House and Senate were joined by representatives from major unions and policy organizations in calling on the White House and Congressional negotiators to protect funding for Medicaid, a health program for people and families with low incomes and resources.

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) participates in a news conference about preserving Medicaid funding during the 'fiscal cliff' negotiations at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill December 11, 2012 in Washington, DC. Legislators from the House and Senate were joined by representatives from major unions and policy organizations in calling on the White House and Congressional negotiators to protect funding for Medicaid, a health program for people and families with low incomes and resources.